Chapter 15
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Archmage vs. Mage (3)
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Raymond, the department head, was screaming internally at that very moment.
Fortunately for her, the flames blazing in Lunaris's hand flickered out in an instant.
At the same time, she collapsed weakly onto the floor.
In truth, Lunaris was an extremely fuel-inefficient mage.
She couldn't control her mana properly with every spell she cast, making her a pathetic quick-shot mage who burned out fast and fled even faster.
"Looks like I win, huh? Ohohoho!!"
Raymond's expression finally brightened.
Lunaris shot a glare at the immature woman who was thrilled over beating a mere student, grumbling tiredly with an exhausted face.
"No... cough! Summoning a spirit against a student... is cheating... cough, cough!"
"Wasn't it the student who said not to hold back on means or methods?"
"Urgh...!"
Lunaris let out a groan with the most wronged expression in the world.
Raymond gazed at her fondly.
"Well, still, you're impressive. This makes it worth teaching you."
She said that, but inwardly, she heaved a sigh of relief.
What if she had lost?
...Even imagining it was disastrous.
The more she thought about it, the hotter her head felt.
Her heart pounded away.
The girl slumped before her was starting to grow on her more and more.
This kid was the real deal.
To unleash magic of this caliber without even contracting a spirit.
If guided in the right direction, her talent was bound to blossom without a doubt, Raymond was certain.
"Ahem—"
At that moment, a particularly heavy clearing of the throat echoed through the ruined hall.
A woman in a neat maid uniform approached, clearing debris from her path.
"Good morning, Department Head Raymond. Miss Lunaris."
Her face bore a business smile paired with cold eyes.
It was Odette, the head maid of Linea Hall.
"Seeing you diligently studying from early in the morning fills me with joy as a maid."
Her polite voice dripped with chill.
The tense atmosphere made Raymond flinch involuntarily.
Lunaris, who knew the head maid's temper well, lay sprawled on the floor staring at the ceiling with an 'I know nothing' expression.
"However, I do wonder what reason there could be for sparring in the dormitory instead of using the training building."
"No, there were circumstances..."
As Raymond hurriedly opened her mouth to explain,
Lunaris slyly interjected.
"The department head said she'd take full responsibility, so go wild."
It was a bit fabricated, but essentially true.
Raymond stared at Lunaris with the world's most wronged expression.
"Urghhh..."
But she had her eyes closed, groaning and pretending to have fainted.
"Department Head, would you care to discuss the restoration work with me separately?"
Raymond nodded blankly, then clutched the back of her neck.
Fine, a staggering repair bill was one thing.
But at her age and position, having to write apology letters to the chairman, the Mage Tower, and the imperial family? Her vision went dark.
In the world of my previous life, there was a huge debate about switching to a 4.5-day workweek or even a full 4-day one.
Working only Monday through Thursday, then taking every other Friday off or something like that.
Of course, it had nothing to do with me.
What could I expect from a black company rife with the '996' system—9 a.m. in, 9 p.m. out, six days a week?
Yet I never dreamed I'd enjoy this advanced 4-day system in a medieval fantasy world lagging far behind in civilization.
"Urghhhh... Ahhh!!"
This wasn't a dying gasp.
It was the refreshing sound of stretching.
"Slept... so... good...!"
I rose leisurely from bed, basking in the warm sunlight.
I had no idea how long it had been since I slept in until lunch.
"Haaah~ Feels great!"
Today was Friday.
No classes at the academy.
I crossed the dormitory's main hall, still bustling with repair work, and headed to the cafeteria to fill my stomach.
Current time: 2 p.m.
Too late for brunch or anything fancy. Just lunch.
The cafeteria was incredibly quiet.
Aside from the chefs and maids, it was basically just me.
"Well, I did wake up pretty late."
Everyone's so diligent. Out and about even on a day off. Must have stamina to spare.
"Miss Lunaris, here for lunch?"
A familiar voice called out.
Odette, who had been tidying up in one corner of the cafeteria, approached me.
"Yeah, a bit late."
I scratched my messy hair and let out a big yawn.
"What would you like for the menu?"
"Something hearty. Meat-focused balanced meal. No veggies."
"Skipping veggies already throws off the balance."
"How can anyone eat grass?"
Even if I said that, veggies would sneak onto my plate anyway.
But I didn't mind. As long as the meat tasted right, I could overlook whatever ingredients they used.
"Understood. I'll prepare it shortly."
Odette headed to the kitchen and rattled off my picky eater preferences to the chef at length.
Matching a pro picky eater's tastes while keeping nutrition balanced wasn't easy.
Once done ordering, Odette returned behind me, clasped her hands neatly, and suddenly brought up something else.
"Miss Lunaris, you haven't joined any clubs yet?"
"Clubs? What's that?"
"Gatherings organized by students with shared interests. The academy encourages all students to join at least one."
Encouraged meant not mandatory.
"Then I don't have to join."
Perfect. After eating, I could read in bed and pass out.
But my hopeful plan shattered instantly.
"Conveniently, the dormitory runs a special program for students not in any clubs."
"???"
I swallowed hard without realizing it.
Special program.
How ominous did that sound?
"It's nothing much—just 'house activities' with us maids."
"And... what does that entail?"
My voice trembled slightly.
Odette added calmly.
"Have your meal first, miss. After eating, change into a maid outfit, and I'll explain today's schedule."
"Huh??"
I glanced around subtly.
Only then did I notice the maids stationed throughout the cafeteria.
...Every one of them wore a meaningful smile.
"Finally, the miss will get a taste of our hardships."
"Miss Lunaris in a maid outfit? She'd look so cute, right?"
Eee hee hee—their giggles sent shivers down my spine.
I scooted my chair back and stood up.
Odette looked at me quizzically.
"Miss Lunaris?"
"Oh, right—I forgot I have a lunch meetup with people from a club I just joined."
"You said you weren't in any clubs just now..."
"Sorry to waste your prep. Gotta go."
I turned and bolted—no, flew using telekinesis.
The sweet aroma of food tugged at me, but I resisted the temptation.
No matter what, maid corruption was a step too far.
Having escaped Linea Hall, I stopped in front of the club recruitment bulletin board in the central plaza.
To kill time, I scanned the postings one by one.
[Swordsmanship Club]
-Every Friday: Special training from dawn till you collapse from exhaustion
-Weekend trainees welcome!
[Volunteer Club]
-3-day, 2-night orphanage and monastery experience
-Bring separate sponsorship funds
[Tea Ceremony Club]
-Starting from growing tea leaves...
Wow, not a single chill option. For real.
How were they all so intense?
I checked others just in case, but nothing appealed.
"No club where you just sign up and ghost?"
At this point, maybe I should start my own and deal with the hassle.
Like the after-school dessert-munching club from my past life fame.
Or napping—no, lucid dreaming research club.
But creating one meant recruitment, reports, all sorts of annoyances...
"Huh? Lunaris, what're you doing here?"
As I racked my brain, a familiar voice came from behind.
It was Claire.
The girl who sat next to me in our first class.
"Just, y'know, looking for a club worth joining."
"Looking for clubs now? Last week during promo week, what were you—oh."
Last week? Full-time sleep mode.
Claire recalled and nodded awkwardly.
"Honestly, I don't really wanna join any clubs..."
But skipping meant maid torment.
"So? Hunting for a ghost club to slap your name on?"
"Exactly."
At that moment, Claire's eyes sparkled.
"Wanna join mine then?"
Caught off guard, I blinked.
"Huh? What's it about?"
"Just, y'know, gathering in a quiet room to chat and snack."
"Ooh...!"
As expected, the ancient 'room club' tradition existed everywhere.
"So? What's the club name?"
"Ghost Story Research Club."
"...Huh?"
My mind blanked.
"You said it's just chatting in a room..."
"Yeah. We chat about ghosts."
I definitely wanted a ghost club.
Looks like I was joining one with actual ghosts.